§ (7.12.) MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)I rise to call attention to the desirability of restricting the imposition of Royalties, Dues, and Wayleaves on Mines. No doubt the fact that there is a Royal Commission now sitting, inquiring into the question of Mining Royalties, forms a strong argument against me. But there is one very good reason for the course I am taking. The second most important industry in the county I have the honour to represent—Cornwall—is the china clay industry, and that was excluded in the most determined manner from the scope of the Royal Commission by the right hon. Gentleman who has just left the House; and I shall be able to show that some of the worst cases of harassment connected with the mining industry of Cornwall are to be found in the china clay industry. This is a matter of importance to other parts of the United Kingdom besides Cornwall, because the china clay which is raised in our county is employed not in our county itself but in other industries which form the staple occupation of a great number of our fellow citizens in the counties of Stafford, Lancaster, Chester, and other districts. I need hardly say that china clay is taken principally to the potteries in Staffordshire——
§ Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,
§ House adjourned at a quarter after Seven o'clock till Monday next.